Bootleg Betty
Video: Cinematographer On Bette Midler In The Rose
By Mister D
June 13, 2026
Vilmos Zsigmond (1930–2016), the Oscar-winning cinematographer, primarily discussed Bette Midler in the context of his work on The Rose (1979), a rock drama directed by Mark Rydell where she starred as the lead (a character loosely inspired by Janis Joplin).
In a 2023 American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) retrospective on his career, Zsigmond described the film’s visual approach and praised Midler’s performance: “The Rose [was] basically a light show. We wanted to re-create an era of rock ‘n roll concerts. The picture looked like documentaries of Janis Joplin concerts. We wanted the audience to see everything; nothing was hidden. That’s how we made it intimate. The singer [Bette Midler] was vulnerable. That’s why the audience loved her.”
He highlighted the collaborative, improvisational style of the production, including shooting live concert sequences with multiple renowned cinematographers (like Haskell Wexler, Conrad Hall, and László Kovács) to capture raw energy, and praised specific scenes showcasing Midler’s emotional intensity, such as her character’s breakdown in a phone booth.
Zsigmond also supervised the 4K restoration of The Rose for Criterion Collection and appeared in related interviews (including one with John Bailey, ASC, featured on the release), where he discussed lighting challenges and Midler’s vulnerability in key dramatic moments.
They worked together again on the 1982 comedy Jinxed!, but public comments from Zsigmond about Midler (or that film) are far less prominent and generally neutral in available sources—The Rose was the standout collaboration where he spoke most appreciatively of her. Overall, his remarks emphasize her authenticity, emotional openness, and how it enhanced the film’s intimate, documentary-like feel.
